COLOURFUL COACHELLA "I LIKE TO TRY THINGS THAT I ASSUME THAT I MIGHT NOT LIKE"

Sometimes you have to make yourself do things that you would normally not do. It can shift your life and make it vibrant.
I decided to go to Coachella, really my idea of hell. Loud electronic music, crowds of people, late nights, all for a subject I do not care about.  I can have pre conceived ideas that are totally wrong, but I couldn't miss an adventure, so I decided to put my feet in deep water.  With this in mind I arranged to go with a good friend. She was much more enthusiastic than I was in the beginning.  I felt I was about to go up for a dog show and win best in breed. Coachella had a feeling of a dog show in England. Huge stands all separate from each other, with different types of music  which miraculously did not interfere with the next door neighbours noise.
I wore long. I thought it would go from being too hot to too cold. I was right. I took a pair of tights in my bag and wore them. Last week in New York I bought a long dress from Norma Kamali which I loved and along with a Rick Owens fur I was warm yet cool when I needed to be. I had my hair in tight  curls which lasted all week end, with my Robert Clergerie shoes I felt no pain.Flower power crossed with a witches hat was all the rage at Coachella combined with pixie boots, butterflies, frayed shorts and round glasses.. I was in for a surprise it was incredible fun.

I read through the pocket book and discovered I actually new a few people performing. This made it all the more exciting. Nicole Moudaber, The Petshop Boys, Bryan Ferry, and I learnt a whole lot of new names and listened to music from MGMT, Queens of the  Stone Age,  Mugwai who totally made my whole week end.  This is the point in life, I must always stretch myself, and  in turn it produced a truly exhilarating two days that I will always treasure. I loved listening to beat of the music, totally alien to me, to join in the fun.
I bounced into bed last night, happy to relax into a deep sleep.
P.S I now know who Outkast is.

NEVER ENDING HIP PARADE

Last night I went to Nicky Haslam's new house in Knightsbridge jam packed with paps and the fabulous faces of today. Beautifully decorated with immaculate taste I wish I had let him do the whole of my house.  He was launching his thoroughly interesting new album Midnight Matinee which I am lucky enough to have a track on.  I loved working with him on every level. Go Nicky go, you always keep us entertained. With Bob Geldof, Tracey Emin, Bryan Ferry and Rupert Everett, you cannot go wrong.

MICHAEL LUSTIG FOUNDER OF THELIPTV LOS ANGELES

MICHAEL LUSTIG

I met Michael two or three years ago with Bryan Ferry at a house I had with magnificent views in Eden Place, Los Angeles. He has a very interesting brain, brilliant ideas and using what he likes to do best, started The Lip TV.  He is cosy and the sort of person you can cuddle up to. He is generous and one of the few men in Los Angeles that pays for dinner.  His brain is forever changing. 

Which Hollywood star do you find attractive?

Cate Blanchett because she can do anything, Audrey Tatou - le bombe surprise of femininity and Myrna Loy because she is eternal. 

What moves you emotionally? 

Life is messy; so making order out of chaos and finding the resiliency to survive is the essence of emotionality and gratitude.  I think this Kubrick quote sums it up best, "The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent; but if we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death–however mutable man may able to make them –our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness we supply our own light." 

Which film director inspires you?

I'm captivated by Polish Brothers and their film "For Lovers Only" which is a must see on VOD.  This $0 budget feature is road trip from Paris down through the South of France that explores an affair between a man and woman who've had a previous relationship; as they make love the film incrementally reveals the reasons why they can't be together.  

What food do you most enjoy? 

Wine.  

Which designer do you like to wear most?

I build the basics of my wardrobe from John Varvatos Collection and RRL limited edition with a smattering of Christian Peau, Hartford, Paul Smith and vintage pieces for the flourish. 

What was your most successful moment? 

When I learned to speak nicely to myself. 

What makes you happy?

Gratitude. 

Which film director interests you?

Oliver Stone, Stanley Kubrick, Mel Gibson and Martin Scorcese - controversy is essential in the arts and any auteur who pushes the boundaries no matter the consequence inspires discourse and makes the world a better place even if sometimes it's to their own peril or detriment. 

What piece of music do you like listening to? 

It's impossible for me to narrow down the soundtrack of my life to a single piece of music, song or even a single artist or composer.  

Where do you like to live?

Malibu. 

What piece of art inspires you?

All of de Kooning's women.  

What shoes do you like to wear?

Flip Flops, Berlutti Loafers, Guidi lace ups, Vintage boots and Classic Vans. 

What made you most happy in your career? 

Being able to always choose what and be challenged by what I have done as a vocation.  I'd rather starve than do something just for money.  

What persons have inspired you?

Bryan Ferry for being the quintessential artiste, Tony Wilson as the archetypal raconteur and Benny Hill as the progenitor of the cheap thrill. 

What sport do you most enjoy? 

Watching cricket. 

Where do you find serenity? 

Anywhere that is quiet with an unobstructed view. 

What do you like to eat? 

I'll eat almost anything with the right group of people at the table. 

What is your biggest sin? 

Sloth of course. 

What piece of advice can you give someone? 

Rule #1 If you're gong to smoke weed; smoke before you drink. 

Rule #2 Don't forget rule #1. 

Rule #3 Never take anything personally. 

What do you like to do at the weekend?

I like to cozy up at the beach with the special one.  But I also enjoy a completely shallow and fashionable weekend party. 

IVOR BRAKA

One of the best ART dealers of paintings and sculture is Ivor Braka.  He has enormous style and 30 inch hips may be evan 28 inch hips.  If you find yourself with enough cash to buy yourself a decent de Lempicka, or anything else for that matter, your first stop should be his stunning house in London,  Chelsea  there you will find someone who is a master of  unique taste and culture.

1. Which Hollywood star do you find attractive?
Tippi Hedren

2. What moves you emotionally?

Watching my sporting heroes.

3.Which film director inspires you?

Hugh Hudson.

4. What food do you most enjoy?

Pasta

5. Which designer do you like to wear most?

Huntsman for suits and Dior for off the peg clothes.

6. What was your most successful moment?

Finally beating my Father at Tennis.

7. What makes you happy?

Drinking.

8. Which film director interests you?

Mike Hodges.

9. What piece of music do you like listening to?

Beethovens 7th and Bryan Ferry.

10.Where do you like to live?

Where I live now.

11.What piece of art inspires you?

Anything by Mondrian.

12.What shoes do you like to wear?

Black Suede

13.What made you most happy in your career?

Meeting wonderful museum directors mostly in America.

14.What person inspired you?.

Andre Kalman and my biology teacher.

15.What sport do you most enjoy?

Squash

16.Where do you find serenity?

All around me, its a mental state.

17.What do you like to eat?

Depends on the day

18.What is your biggest sin?

Sin implies we live in a moral universe which I don't think we do.

19.What piece of advice can you give someone?

I try not to give advice.

20.What do you like to do at the week end?

Time with my wife sport and drinking (in that order)

WITH SOPHIA, PINTO AND RISEBOROUGH, MARNI FOR H&M CAN'T GO WRONG

Marni for H&M gave the best party in Los Angeles last night, right timing too, just before the Oscars next week.  The ravishing clothes will be bought immediately they enter their stores, chunky necklaces and shoes, lots of red, funky designs, the girls will look totally modern.  The party was given in the lantern lit gardens of a house once owned by John Sowden, a photographer and artist, who asked his great friend Frank Loyd Wright to build it in Franklin Avenue.  Candles and the smell of freesias as we entered the house smelt delicious.  The food too was good, tiny pieces of pizza with exotic toppings, chicken marsala on minute pieces of bread, rare cheeses from forgotten places.  Totally beautifully done and organised by the brilliant Karla Otto.
A wonderful invitation.  As usual I was early, I like to see the guests arrive. It finished off with the sounds of Bryan Ferry, so what could be better? The very generous event was hosted by Marni’s Founder and Creative Director, Consuelo Castiglioni, the Director of the Marni at H&M campaign, Sofia Coppola and Margareta van den Bosch, H&M´s Creative Advisor. As well as Drew, Winona and Milla, other guests arriving at the party dressed in Marni at H&M included Jessica Chastain, Freida Pinto and Andrea Riseborough. The collection will be available from March 8 in around 260 stores worldwide, as well as on-line. 

SOPHIA COPPOLA

MILLA

ANDREA

 BRYAN FERRY

 Gorgeous girls from around the world, Los Angeles, Italy, France and Sweden were speaking to each other, and the love of their languages made me think it is time to make an effort and live in Paris for a few months and to also sell my apartment there, which was the artist studio of Tamara de Lempicka,  I love it but hardly use any more.  I had such plans for it, but my dreams did not materialise for many reasons.  I have to face it I was born English and not French.  Hard on my soul..  I have adoration for their literature, panache and architecture.

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY: SAVING OUR LONDON TREES: THE FIGHT IS ON

Green lands are so precious and there is nothing better than going into the oldest parts of Great Britain. It does so much to make my imagination flow.  Waking to the sound of nothing but birds and the sound of waves breaking against rocks is what I wish for.

Yesterday I went for a lovely lunch with loads of small children, the atmosphere was calm, the children happy and from the corner of my eye I was able to watch the French Open at Roland Garros.  My favourite Nadal won, I just knew he would.  I have no hesitation over this mans brilliance.  He never disappoints. It could not have been a better day.  

Everything I ate was truly yummy.  I had been doing my fast for three days with Radiance in London. It works quickly and efficiently.  I am really only able to have liquids these days.  I feel much better on them. 

I think most foods are poison.  I wish I had learnt that when I was young.

There are troubles brewing with the trees of London.  Too many are being removed by councils.  My friend Christina Rotholz has set up a committee, and with the help of The Woodland Trust she is doing her best to save them.  The councils like to cut them down because it costs too much to clean up the mess they make.  With four million people unemployed surely there is enough labour to help? What is society coming to that we are too lazy to clear up after beautiful nature that has been here for already for two hundred years?  The people within the councils should be argued with. It is a crime. Anyway in the hands of Christina we can be assured the fight is on.

Bryan Ferry, Nicholas Haslam and Astrid Munoz all agreed to support her, to persuade ignorant councils that what they are doing is against the nature and beauty of London is a criminal offence.
Christina's email should you wish to help is treetina@gmail.com.